Racing: Haami shakes off illness and a tarnished reputation

Haami redeemed a tarnished reputation with a workmanlike victory in the Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket yesterday, prompting a re-entry into the 2,000 Guineas reckoning in the process.

After convincing victories on his first two outings the Nashwan colt disappointed in third place when favourite for the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown on his latest outing.

His bubble seemingly having burst, Haami was pushed out to 33-1 for next year's Classic. But after his 5-1 success in yesterday's seven-furlong Listed event it transpired that he had been sufering from a sore throat at Esher. His length-and-a-half win earned a 16-1 Guineas quote from the Tote.

The winning trainer, John Dunlop, was keen to set the record straight. Looking back to Haami's Sandown run, Dunlop said: "He didn't run a race in any way similar to his first two or indeed today. When we got him home we scoped him and found he had a dirty throat and a bit of an infection.

"The ground was also softer and I should think he is better on faster ground - he is a very good mover."

Haami holds an entry in the Group One Dewhurst back at Newmarket in a fortnight, but is a doubtful runner, according to Dunlop. "I wouldn't think he would run again," he added. "Ask Sheikh Hamdan and see what he says. I might say he would run in the Dewhurst but I think he might disagree with me."